WILTSHIRE Wildlife Hospital, near Salisbury, is having difficulties with running costs for continued commitment to treating, tending and rehabilitating all kinds of animals; injured, suffering and thus restoring to natural habitat.

For instance; hedgehogs are noted countrywide as falling in numbers. Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital treats and comforts about 600 hedgehogs each year. This is within an annual total of about 3000 indigenous wild animals, mice to badgers, deer, owls and most local types of birdlife. The team has come to the point where costs have risen to about £35,000 per annum but where donations have fallen to about three-quarters of that amount. Management indicates that they “will have to pack it in” (their quote).

Please, readers, will you check out the web page for the hospital and follow the tabs to donate what you feel may be comfortable for your individual support efforts? Failing computer availability then a telephone line for information and contact is 01980 629470. The link for the home page is http://www.wildthingsres-q.org.uk/ Various proprietary foodstuffs suitable for animals and birds listed or requested would also be welcomed – discuss it with any of the staff (senior member Mike Korkis – see phone number above).

They have treated our resident swan family seniors (Cobber and Penny) within the Hilperton Marina area, Penny later disappeared in tragic circumstances and “Cobber” is currently recuperating from an infected and arthritic hip joint. Cobber was rescued from malnutrition around mid-June and is on a special diet supplement to ease the pain. He has been resident along that canal stretch for 20 years. In the last two years he has acquired Tuppence as his wife.

George Fortune, Trowbridge